QTR-Quadtone RIP

I'll try to explain my workflow 
first there is in the file section of this group some usefull doc
second linearization is for quad curve 
icc profile is mainly   for softproofing

> I have an Eye-One Photo LT.  I used Gretag-Macbeth's 
> ProfileMaker "MeasureTool" (demo version) to open, and then spot-
> measure, the QTR-21x4-random file.

Yes you must use QTR-21x4-random file not the 51 step as in Eye-One-ReadMe.pdf
 
> Once that was done, I saved the resulting .txt file and dragged it 
> onto the QTR-Linearize-Data.exe program to create a graph with 51 
> readings.  The L data graph is nice and straight until it gets to 
> about 60.00, so linearization is needed; this is where I get lost.  
> The directions for linearizing are detailed in the .pdf as follows:
> 
> "The Linearization process is simply creating a correction curve 
> using the above data to straighten the L data graph. To use this 
> feature, simply create the ink description file, doing the 
> partitioning. The GRAY_HIGHLIGHT and GRAY_SHADOW fields can be 
> approximated at 4 and 8 respectively. Make the quad curve and print 
> out the Step-21-gray stepwedge, and measure as above. The last line 
> has the linearization info. Triple-click on it, Copy the whole line 
> and Paste it to the bottom of the ink description file. Re-process 
> the ink file with Drop-Quad-Profile."
> 
> I'm in the dark from "...simply create the ink description file..."
> 
> That is:
> 1) What is meant by "...simply create the ink description file, doing 
> the partitioning."?
> 
> 2) "The GRAY_HIGHLIGHT and GRAY_SHADOW fields can be approximated at 
> 4 and 8 respectively..."  --> Which tab in QTR's Curve Creator?
> 
> 3) "Make the quad curve and print out the Step-21-gray stepwedge, and 
> measure as above."  --> Which quad curve?  Do I print out the Step-21-
> gray stepwedge even though I worked with the larger (51 step) file?
> 
> Thanks, appreaciate any input-
> Jens
> 
> PS-- Using Windows XP Pro
>
I am on Mac
the ink description file is the file you must drop on Drop-Quad-Profile to make a curve 
that you can use in Qtr like :
#
#  quadtone curve descriptor file
#
#
# the printer name
# the curve name
#   no spaces or special characters, except - or _  (dash or underscore)
# Date			15/12/07
# Printer		Epson 2100
# INK			epson matte black
# Paper			epson Archivial Matte Paper
etc.

I describe my workflow

I made a ink description file for my ink, printer, paper starting from a file for similar paper 
printer, I  include the correct ink limit and gray partitioning , GRAY_HIGHLIGHT=6  
GRAY_SHADOW=8, without the end line "LINEARIZE=" 
drop this file on Drop-Quad-Profile
you must have a new curve file .quad in Curve Drop Box
print the 21x4 target  with the setting you intend to use for you work DO NOT use 
calibration mode in the driver 
read with the eye-one the target , only Lab value is important
drop the measure  file on QTR-Linearize-Data 
you have a file with graph and a end line like this 
LINEARIZE="96.5325 92.8775 87.96 83.0275 77.3025 71.92 66.0425 61.4925 57.3125 
53.465 48.925 45.2425 42.305 39.1225 36.415 33.85 29.2375 27.07 22.2925 20.43 
16.685"

copy this line to the end of the ink description file you have used before
drop on Drop-Quad-Profile
you have done the curve , now for printing use this linearized curve 

Print again the 21x4 step target with this new curve read it and drop the measure file on 
QTR-Create-ICC
put the icc profile just created  to the correct folder and use it in PS for softproofing

Hope this help